2023 Cupra Leon VZX new car review

A red hot new performance hatchback has arrived Down Under with some seriously impressive hardware and tech.

The newest brand from the giant Volkswagen Group is making waves in Australia and this is one of its latest arrivals.

Here are five things you need to know about the Cupra Leon VZX.

Cupra is the newest brand from the giant VW Group.

You might not have heard of it

Cupra arrived in Australia last year as Volkswagen’s Spanish spinoff.

As with Audi and Skoda, Cupra’s Australian arm is literally under the same roof as Volkswagen. All four brands share much of the same hardware and technology, including the engine and transmission found under the bonnet of this attractive hot hatch.

While the Leon is mechanically similar to the Golf GTI, Cupra reckons there are plenty of folks ready to try something that stands out from the crowd.

the Leon VZX shares much of its components with the VW Golf GTI.

Style is a strong point

The Cupra makes a great first impression, with taut lines and attractive proportions accentuated by eye-catching details. Copper-coloured accents stand out, as do performance car additions such as quad exhaust pipes and gold-painted brake calipers, along with the athletic stance of a high-performance hot hatch. It’s a similar case on the inside, where sports seats trimmed in blue leather with copper-coloured stitching meet hi-tech digital displays.

The cabin is one of the best in class.

Cupra doesn’t require a great leap of faith

Ordinarily, new brands ask buyers to take a punt with their money, hoping that hardware and customer service will be up to scratch. But the mechanical parts here are a known quantity, as the Cupra is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine that has underpinned Volkswagen Group models for years. Tuned to produce 221kW and 400Nm – more power than the cheaper VW Golf GTI, but less than the more expensive Golf R – the Leon VZX is capable of reaching 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. It has the same seven-speed dual-clutch auto that you find in a hot VW, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential helps front wheels get power to the ground. There’s no manual option and folks insisting on all-wheel-drive traction need to move up to the larger Cupra Ateca or Formentor SUVs.

It gets a more potent engine than the Golf GTI.

The Leon is great to drive

Sharper than a Golf GTI but easier to live with than track-day specials, the Leon covers the everyday commute and weekend blast with ease. As with the best hot hatches, the Leon has multiple modes spanning from mild to wild, including a driver-focused setting that combines a pop and crackle from the exhaust with occasionally cheeky cornering angles. Accurate steering and brake responses are welcome, though an over-reliance on touchscreens for basic cabin features could prove to be a daily frustration.

It just got cheaper

Originally launched for an expensive $61,490 plus on-road costs, the Leon had $1500 shaved from its price in January to make it $59,990 plus on-roads, or $63,990 drive-away. Optional extras such as matt paint ($2300), Brembo brakes ($3600) and a sunroof ($1800) aren’t cheap, though the five-year warranty with three years of free servicing works in its favour.

In any case, the Leon is loaded with gear including a comprehensive array of crash avoidance tech, a digital dashboard and 10-inch central display, nine-speaker Beats HiFi system and LED headlights.